John Terry has blown his chance of
leading Chelsea in the Champions League final but his team-mates credit
their inspirational skipper for instilling the siege mentality that has
taken them to the verge of finally fullfilling their dream of European
glory.

It was just days after Andre Villas-
Boas's sacking two months ago that Chelsea's players held a crucial
council of war - with Terry at the helm, telling them in the frankest
terms where they had let down themselves and the club.

'JT led the way,'
recalled Jon Obi Mikel. 'He said we simply had to improve. It wasn't
just about the manager being sacked - we all could have done better.'

All smiles: Terry in Chelsea training on Thursday ahead of their final league game

Two months down the line, Chelsea under Roberto Di Matteo have won the FA Cup and beaten Napoli, Benfica and then Barcelona to book their final date with Bayern Munich in Germany on Saturday.

Mikel said Terry's message was loud and clear: 'We decided we had to kick on, to make sure we achieved something. Last season we didn't win anything, which wasn't good enough. Now we want to make history. We want to be legends. If we can pull it off it will be the greatest achievement ever.'

Terry, of course, will not have a part to play at Munich's Allianz Arena following his red-card shame in the Nou Camp during the second leg of Chelsea's brilliant semi-final triumph over mighty Barca. And Mikel says he will be sorely missed.

'It's going to be massive missing John,' said the 25-year-old Nigeria midfielder. 'Everyone knows how he leads the team. He's been doing that for ages. He's a brilliant leader and a fantastic guy off the pitch.'

Suspensions for Terry and also Branislav Ivanovic mean Mikel's task of protecting a reshuffled back four will be even more important.

Job done: Roberto Di Matteo has guided Chelsea to two cup finals

But Chelsea have been defying the odds throughout this European campaign and the squad are hugely confident they can do so again, and so erase the pain of their penalty shootout heartache against Manchester United in the final four years ago.

'If you look at it positively, it may actually be better for us,' Mikel said.

'Playing at home, there's more pressure on Bayern to deliver. We'll play with less pressure and so will have a good chance to express ourselves. There's always been this fighting spirit in the team. That's the type of players we have and I don't think that's ever going to leave Chelsea. I think it will be a very exciting game, a difficult one for us - but for Bayern as well.'

One of Mikel's responsibilities will be trying to stop Bayern's dangerous forwards breaking into the box. While nobody questioned his ability when he arrived at Stamford Bridge, he admits he has added mobility and industry to his game since Di Matteo took the helm.

Being rotated by Villas-Boas without explanation, Mikel said, affected everyone's confidence. With refreshing insight, he said: 'It was difficult. You play, the manager leaves you out - but you don't know the reason. Nobody knew what was happening.

Protection: Chelsea's Jon Obi Mikel (right)

'When you have something like this in your mind as a player, you don't know what to do. You come into training thinking, ''Shall I train well because I don't know if I'm going to be playing at the weekend?''

'Things like that went on and on. Now nobody is moaning or upset when they are left out. Togetherness is what we were lacking. Everyone wants to work for each other.'

Which is exactly why, according to Mikel, all the players hope owner Roman Abramovich keeps faith with the low-key Di Matteo after Saturday's showdown - win or lose - rather than splash the cash on another big-name manager.

'Now things are more stable,' added Mikel. 'We have a manager who understands the game and treats everyone the same - treats John Terry like he treats the young players like Ryan Bertrand. I think that's what has brought all of us together.

'Communication is important, too. He has come in, noticed the problems and has just put it right straight away. That's why we have gone on this run.

'To be honest, I think everyone would like to see him get the job. His man-management has been fantastic and the way he goes about his business before a game, tactics and preparation, is just absolutely spot-on, so we hope he gets it.

'But the owner will decide the right way for this club.' Although he was only a substitute when Chelsea were robbed of their dream by United in Moscow in 2008, Mikel saw the effects such a gut-wrenching defeat had on his team-mates. Every sinew will be strained, he said, not to end up with the losers' medals again - particularly since defeat would spell only Europa League football next season.

'There are now several reasons for us to win,' he explained. 'It's the game of our lives. No one wants Thursday nights in the Europa. It's come to a point where it's a game we can't lose.'